Our expert Kim says...

Most broadband providers use BT's (www.bt.com) copper wire telephone network to deliver
an internet connection to your home, and that requires an active
phone line… so line rental is almost always included when you take
out a broadband package. Thanks to new ASA
rules, everything - broadband and line rental -
is covered in your monthly cost, the majority of the time.

However, not everyone uses their landline phones much these
days, so that line rental can seem like a bit of an unnecessary
expense for some of us.

Read on and we'll take a look at how you can get landline-free
broadband. Or, compare your options immediately with our postcode checker.

Virgin Media broadband

Since it has its own fibre network separate from BT's, it can
bring a broadband connection to your home directly - completely
eliminating the need for a landline.

And we're pleased to say that Virgin Media has some pretty good
deals available. However, do remember to compare
all your available options. Landline-free broadband
is cheaper than its landliney version, but not by a whole lot -
only around £5 per month in some cases.

Because the network is totally fibre optic,
Virgin Media's broadband is superfast. In fact, download speeds can
reach up to a massive 300Mb, some of the highest in the UK. You've
also got the option to include your internet as part of a bundle
with TV and
mobile - and home
phone, of course, if you change your mind.

All its broadband packages come with unlimited downloads, though
do bear in mind that Virgin Media manages web traffic. That means
you'll always get consistent service, but may see slightly lower
download speeds at peak times, particularly for things like
filesharing.

How do I get Virgin Media broadband?

First of all, type your postcode into our postcode checker and we'll show you
what broadband deals you can get in your area. If you spot a Virgin
Media one you like the look of, click through and you'll be taken
to the Virgin Media website, where you can seal the deal in
seconds.

Mobile broadband

Another possible solution to try is mobile broadband. It's often slower
and less reliable than a wired connection, but it's about as
landline-free as you can get.

Mobile broadband comes in the form of a USB dongle, a Wi-Fi
hotspot device, or a data-only SIM
deal (such as the kind you'd get for an iPad), all of which
work by connecting wirelessly to the provider's 4G network.

Generally, you'll need to purchase the dongle or device upfront,
then pay for the broadband connection itself on a month-by-month
basis - though some providers offer longer term contracts too. And
unlike wired broadband, there are pay-as-you-go options as
well.

Handy mobile broadband gadgets are available from mobile
providers including EE, Three, O2, Vodafone, and of course Virgin Media. Remember to check each
provider's network coverage before picking one, otherwise you may
struggle to connect.

If you've got a smartphone with the right tech, you can even
turn your phone itself into a Wi-Fi hotspot, or tether your
connection to your PC using a USB cable. Just make sure you have a
high enough data limit on your mobile plan - going over it can
incur some hefty fees or cut your connection off til the next
month.

And that's the biggest potential issue with mobile broadband -
it often has some pretty scant download limits. If you only use the
internet for a bit of casual browsing you may be fine, but anything
more intensive than email will eat through it pretty quickly. So if
you're an online gamer or a video streaming
fan, you're much better off with wired internet - whether you
choose Virgin Media or splash out for line rental after all.

Compare deals now

Why do we need your postcode?

We don’t want to show you a load of deals that you can’t actually get, so by giving us your postcode we show you only the deals that are available where you live. We don’t share your postcode with anyone else. Take a look at our privacy policy to find out more.

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Compare deals now

Why do we need your postcode?

We don’t want to show you a load of deals that you can’t actually get, so by giving us your postcode we show you only the deals that are available where you live. We don’t share your postcode with anyone else. Take a look at our privacy policy to find out more.

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